Midday found Miranda lounging on a blanket in a small grassy area of the community park enjoying a picnic with her girls, Patricia and Day. Turns out Day was more entertaining for the girls than the St Bernard as Patricia was nearly 10 years old and simply didn't have the stamina of a 20 something year old woman. Currently Patricia was lying off to the side of the blanket napping while Day had lain in an odd position Miranda assumed was supposed to mimic a dog laying on its belly but actually more resembled a yoga pose with the woman's legs tucked beneath her, shins flat to the ground, arms folded in front of her, chin resting on her forearms.
Cassidy and Caroline had been surprisingly accepting of Day. They had, of course, begged to keep her and take her back to New York with them when they left to which Miranda had explained that while she acted like a dog that Day was actually a grown woman and was not up for adoption like a puppy at a pet store. This had somewhat mollified the girls but even Miranda had to admit that while the community was doing its best for the woman it wasn't the best that she could possibly have or even what the young woman deserved. The editor had also cautioned the girls not to be upset when Day wandered off as she was not known to stay in one place very long and moved throughout the community. Miranda was actually really surprised that the woman was still with them by midday. She was contemplating feeding her again. She had eventually accepted scrambled eggs and strawberries for breakfast that morning eaten out of a bowl, on the floor, like a dog. The woman didn't even attempt to use her hands. The sight had been disconcerting to say the least. A voice broke her reverie. "Mom shouldn't we feed Day? I mean I know we only feed Patricia once a day but she's a dog and Day's ... well not a dog," Cassidy trailed off as of not really sure how to classify the woman. "She's a woman, Bobbsie." Miranda said gently. "Not a dog at all and yes we may feed her but she's a vegetarian and apparently has a sensitive stomach or so the sheriff told me." "What were these people feeding her, Mom?" Caroline asked. "She looks really unhealthy. Too skinny." Caroline was right. If Day were to stand up she'd be at least 5'8" and she must weigh only 120 pounds and most of that was muscle. Miranda couldn't see an ounce of extra tissue on the woman's entire body. "I don't know, Bobbsie. Perhaps offer her some of the bread, tomatoes, and other vegetables?" Slowly Cassidy and Caroline offered Day different foods from the basket. She accepted everything except celery and what she did accept had to broken into small pieces and hand fed to her. She still refused to use her hands. When she seemed to be full Cassidy piped up, "What about something to drink?" Before Miranda had a chance to realize what it was Caroline was offering the woman her daughter had already placed the bottle to Day's lips and poured some Coke into the woman's mouth. Day apparently didn't like soda either because she immediately started coughing and spewing cola everywhere while fighting for breath and shaking her head violently. The girls found this immensely amusing until they realized that Day was upset. It was amazing how well she was able to communicate her emotions with absolutely no sound at all. A tilt of the head, the position of her mouth, and her amazingly expressive eyes said it all for her. Day looked at the girls with sad eyes that said, "Why did you hurt me?" And shuffled over to Miranda and buried her head, still coughing slightly, into Miranda's side.
The woman's innocence and big brown eyes spoke to editor. When she felt the girl's head touch her side Miranda's hand went to stroke calmingly through the chestnut curls. A feeling of protectiveness and loyalty like she hasn't felt since he held her baby girls for the first time rose up in the editor. She knew then that she wouldn't leave this woman here. She deserved more and Miranda could give it to her. She shook her head as she internally mused how much her life had changed in 24 hours.
After the picnic the family had decided to go to the market as Cassidy had wisely pointed out that they weren't prepared to feed Day properly. Patricia had been returned to the house and Day had been asked to come along. Miranda simply refused to talk to the woman as a dog and spoke to her as she would her twins, with kindness that few ever saw. She let Day's actions speak for her and when she had been told of the shopping trip and asked to accompany the family started walking to the car and Day followed.
